"Prestige's unique legal services start at the point where others often end, we believe in a conceptual approach, diligently serving our clients. Creativity and sound knowledge are the foundations of our practice each and every day. Success is the ultimate goal, sincerity is always present, and Client satisfaction is sufficient reward for our efforts."

article

United Arab Emirates authorities have come up with a new cyber law which will prevent social media users from posting individual photos online without their consent. A violation of the law may lead the user straight to jail. The new cyber law could also mean that any criticism to the rulers of the country or any institution may also lead to 3 years in jail. Alternatively, they may also be deported.

Users who take advantage of the Internet to organise unlicensed demonstrations within the country are also going to be sentenced jail terms. Those who are found guilty of much broader crimes against the government such as soliciting prostitution or trafficking firearms will also be sentenced, as issued by the presidential decree.

The updated legislation, in fact, expands the 2006 cyber law of the country. The new cyber law has been advocated as the most comprehensive cyber law in the Middle East.

The law is also promoted for protecting personal information and privacy. Al Ittihad, a local newspaper, mentions that posting video or images online without any prior permission may possibly lead to imprisonment for up to 6 months. The fines for such violations can go as high as 500,000 dirhams which is equal to around $140,000.

The UAE has always been extremely tough on its residents regarding the use of the Net. On the other hand, other Gulf countries may follow the strict cyber laws of the country, as they harmonise telecommunications policies and security. Dubai police arrested a man in July for posting a video online. The video showed an Emirati thrashing a motorist of South Asian origin. The incident took place after there was a traffic altercation.

Dr Ali Al Jarman who is a managing partner at the Dubai law firm Prestige Advocates said that the law also included penalties against religious insults and for inciting conspiracy. Nevertheless, the new cyber laws may end up violating freedom of speech in the UAE for journalists, as well as residents of the country, who use social media for any reason.

U.A.E Laws

By Manoj Nair, Associate Editor Dubai: A well-defined set of parameters will have to be followed by Dubai’s landlords on rental increases in their lease renewals, according to a new decree. It applies to both residential and commercial properties and also to those within free zones in the emirate. The decree issued by His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, sets rental ceilings based on certain terms and conditions. There can be no increase if the existing rent…

By Beatrice Thomas Landlords in Dubai will be able to increase rents by up to 20 percent under new laws governing the city’s rental market. The latest real estate sector reforms, announced by the government late on Saturday, override the 5 percent rental cap and set out new maximum rent increases for tenancy contracts renewals. Under a new decree issued by Dubai ruler Sheikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, rent rises can now kick in when a property hits 11 percent below market value for an area, a statement on…

By Manoj Nair, Associate Editor Dubai: Future rent increases in Dubai will be decided by a weighted average of what properties in that particular area command rather than an arbitrary demand by a landlord. It applies equally to residential and commercial realty in the emirate. This will be the natural result of a new decree issued by His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai. The Decree, No. 43 of 2013, sets a specific band on how the optimum…

By Suchitra Bajpai Chaudhary, Senior Reporter Published: 15:52 December 18, 2013 Dubai: The new health insurance law for Dubai, which will be implemented from the beginning of 2014 in phases to be completed by 2016, is a step in the right direction. It will bring every resident of Dubai under its umbrella, offering them basic health coverage as a baseline. However, there are a few concerns about how the new insurance initiative will work and what it means for an individual. Gulf News spoke to Dr Haidar Al Yousuf, Director…

Gulf News Published: 19:03 July 11, 2013 II. LABOUR APPLICATION 1. By whom is the Law enforced? The Law is a federal legislation applicable to all the emirates of the federation. It is enforced by the Ministry of Labour and Social Affair (the "Ministry"). Labour related litigations are adjudicated by the federal and local courts of the UAE. 2. What is the primary pre-requisite for employment? An application must be made to the Ministry of Labour to employ any expatriate employee in the UAE. The application is to be approved…

Gulf News Published: 19:02 July 11, 2013 III. EMPLOYMENT CONTRACT 1. What are the permitted tenures of employment contracts? Two types of employment contracts are permissible: Limited employment contracts which are contracts for a specified duration with specific commencement and completion dates, and unlimited contracts by which the employee will continue to work for the employer from a specific date till such time as the employment contract is terminated by either party after giving prior notice. 2. What is the difference between a limited and an unlimited employment contract? A…

Gulf News Published: 19:01 July 11, 2013 IV. PROBATION PERIOD 1. What is stipulations regarding the probation period? During the probation period either the employer or the employee may terminate the employment contract with immediate effect without the employee being liable to pay end of service gratuity or the employee, compensation for damages. According to Article 37 of the Law, the probation period can be for a maximum period of six months. It is not permissible for the same employer to employ any person on probation, more than once. 2.…

Gulf News Published: 18:56 July 11, 2013 IX. SICK LEAVE 1. Is the employee entitled to sick leave? The employee must report to the employer any injuries or illness preventing him from working, within a maximum period of two days. The employee will not be entitled for any sick leave during the probation period. After a period of three months continuous service following the probation period, the employee is entitled to: Full wage for the first 15 days.Half wage for the next 30 days.Any following period will be without wage.However,…

Gulf News Published: 18:55 July 11, 2013 X. EMPLOYEE RECORDS 1. What types of records must be kept by the employer? An employer who has 5 employees or more in his service, shall adhere to the following: Keeping a file for every employee giving his name, trade or profession, age, nationality, place of residence, marital status, date of commencement of service, wage and any change in it, vacation, illness and injuries, and the date of termination of service and the reason for termination. A "leave card" for every employee to…

Gulf News Published: 19:00 July 11, 2013 V. PAYMENT OF WAGES 1. What constitutes wage according to the Law? Wages according to the Law, has been defined as follows: "Remuneration paid to the employee in return for his services under a labour contract, whether in cash or in kind; annually, monthly, weekly, daily, hourly, on a piece-rate, productivity linked. "Wage" include cost of living allowances, incentives in recognition of honesty or efficiency, provided that these incentives have been specified in the labour contract or in the establishment's internal rules and…

by Ahmed Ibrahim - a.ibrahim@tamimi.com The new draft Companies Law (“New Law”) as approved by the Federal National Council introduces some incremental reforms to the existing Companies Law (“Existing Law”), but mostly maintains the fundamental framework and features of the old provisions. Whilst the New Law introduces some new concepts and approaches, most of the essential features of the Existing Law are maintained. Despite media speculation, the New Law applies the same conservative approach in relation to foreign ownership restrictions under the Existing Law, so foreign investors are limited to…

By: Sounak Mukhopadhyay Date Posted: 05/11/2013 United Arab Emirates authorities have come up with a new cyber law which will prevent social media users from posting individual photos online without their consent. A violation of the law may lead the user straight to jail. The new cyber law could also mean that any criticism to the rulers of the country or any institution may also lead to 3 years in jail. Alternatively, they may also be deported. Users who take advantage of the Internet to organise unlicensed demonstrations within the…